Which Way Are We Looking?
I took the dogs into the woods for their walk this morning. Whilst trying a shortcut through some understory trees and undergrowth, something gave me…
Find out how to read water
Tag: moss
How to Find Direction Using Tree Bark
The wind, rain and sun do not affect all sides of trees equally. This creates patterns on the trees’ bark that we can use to…
Evolving Views
With bumps on the road, hopefully each year we grow more enlightened in our view of nature and our relationship with it. But there is…
Reindeer Lichen and Wild Feelings
I live in the chalk hills of the South Downs. On my daily walks over these hills I am always greeted by familiar alkaline-loving flora.…
The Truth About Moss
Moss is probably the best known natural navigation indicator in the world. It is also excellent at demonstrating how easy it is to go wrong…
Usnea Lichens and Moss Patterns
Just back from a family camper-vanning trip to the New Forest and Dartmoor. In Dartmoor I returned to an old favourite, Wistman’s Wood, where the…
Moisture and Moss
Moss means moisture, which can sometimes help with direction. The moss on this tree is growing on the north side, but it takes a surprising…
Using Lichens to Navigate
This is a photo of the top of a historical stone post, known as a ‘staddle stone‘. Staddle stones were used to build barns off…
Moss on the North Side of Trees
No single piece of natural navigation is better known than ‘moss grows on the north side of trees’. It therefore sometimes surprises people when I…